Body tool



Nov. 27, 1956 R. J. EDWARDS 2,771,933

BODY TOOL Filed March 24, 1955. r 2 S1iee-hee 1 Fig.

Ralph J. Edwards INVENTOR.

dill WW 12m Nov. 27, 1956 R. J. EDWARDS 25771 933 .BODYTOOL Filed March 24, 1955 2 SheetsSheet 2 0 5 8 Fig.3

Ralph J. Edwards INVENTOR.

United States Patent BODY TOOL Ralph J. Edwards, Knoxville, Tenn., as'signor of fifty percent to Oscar K. Thigpen, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application March 24, 1955, Serial No. 496,374

Claims. (Cl. 153-32) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in tools for use in conjunction with automobiles, and more specifically to an improved automobile body tool.

On numerous occasions, there are formed in bodies of automobiles dents as a result of accidents, the dents being of such a nature whereby they could be easily removed providing sufiicient force could be applied to the material of the vehicle body to push the dent out. However, in many localities, the dents are so positioned whereby it is practically impossible to apply this necessary force.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved body tool for use in conjunction with automobile bodies, the tool being of such a nature whereby force may be applied on a designated part of the body for the purpose of straightening the same, the force being appliable to the exterior of the vehicle body.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved vehicle body tool which operates on a vacuum principle, the body tool including an enlarged head having a peripheral sealing ring scalable with a vehicle body to produce a pocket between the vehicle body and the head, and means carried by the head for producing a sufficient vacuum within such pocket to reform the surface of the vehicle body aligned with the pocket.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved vehicle body tool which includes means for heating a portion of the vehicle body to be straightened, and means for applying a vacuum to such heated portion whereby dents formed therein may be easily removed.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved vehicle body tool, the body tool including a head having a central portion provided with means for simultaneously applying heat in a vacuum to a part of the vehicle to be straightened, and an outer portion heat insulated from the central portion for forming a seal between the head and the portion of the body being worked upon whereby a vacuum may be produced on such body.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a forward portion of a vehicle having a dent in the fender thereof, there being applied to the fender the vehicle body tool which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the tool per se taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of Figure 1 and shows the gem eral details of the head of the tool;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view' taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3 -3 of Figure 2 and shows the specific details of both the Patented Nov. 27, 1956 head of the body tool and the means for producing a vacuum beneath such head;

Figure 4 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the head of the body tool and shows the details of the heating coil carried thereby, a protective covering for the heating coils being omitted; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a lifting bar 7 to be used in conjunction with the head in the case of a relatively large head.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 a forward portion of a conventional automobile which is referred to in 7 dent 16.

.; fender 12.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4 in particular, it will be seen that the body tool 18 includes an enlarged head 20. The head 20 is preferably formed of metal and includes a circular outline central portion 22.,

Secured to the central portion 22 is an outer rim 24, the rim 24 being separated from the central portion 22 by an insulated sealing strip 26. The sealing strip 26 is preferably formed of an asbestos material or other heat insulating material. secured to the central portion 22 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 28 seated in an annular recess 30 formed in the upper part of the central portion 22.

Carried by the rim 24 and positioned over both the upper and lower part thereof is an outwardly and downwardly projecting sealing ring 32. The sealing ring 32 projects below the general plane of the head proper and is engageable with a surface of a vehicle body to be straightened. The sealing strip 32 is flexible enough so as to form a tight seal with a portion of a vehicle body which has an irregular configuration.

In order to facilitate the straightening of a portion of a vehicle body, there is provided a heating coil 34. The

heating coil 34 is spiral in outline, as is best illustrated in Figure 4, and is positioned in a spiral groove 36 formed in the underside of the central portion 22. Op-

In order that burning of the paint of that portion of the vehicle body being straightened as a result of the direct heat from the heating coil 34 may be prevented, there is provided a protective shield 40. The shield 40 is preferably in the form of an asbestos sheet which is secured to the underside of the head 20 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 42. The fasteners 42 pass up into the underside of the rim 24 and also serve to secure the sealing strip 32 in place.

The central portion 22 of the head 20 is provided with a cup-like member 44. The cup-like member 44 includes a cylindrical vertical part 46 which is internally threaded and a bottom plate 48 provided with a plurality of bores 50 therethrough. Aligned with the bores 50 are bores 52 in the shield 40 for allowing air to be withdrawn from the pocket formed between the surface of the body and head 20 when sealing strips 32 are in contact with said body surface.

The body tool 18 also includes a vacuum producing mechanism which is referred to in general by the refer- The annular rim 24 is removably '74 by means of a vent fitting 84 secured to ence numeral 54, The vacuum producing mechanism 54 comprises a first cylinder 56 which has a lower endthereof removably threadedly engaged within the vertical portion 46. The upper end' of the cylinder 56 is closed by'a top wall 58. Slidably passing through a central bore '60 in the top wall 58 is a piston rod 62. Carried by the lower end of the piston rod 62 is a first piston 64.

Carried by the top wall 58 exteriorly thereof and rigidly secured thereto is a second piston 66. The second piston 66'has slidably passing therethrough the piston rod over the first cylinder 56 and sealed with respect to the exterior surface thereof by a sealing ring 76 secured to the lower end of the second cylinder 74 by a suitable fitting 78.

Inorder that air may enter into and be evacuated from thefirst cylinder-'56 above the first piston 64, there is provided an air passage 80 in the piston rod 62. The air passage 80 communicates with the atmosphere through the upper end of the piston rod 62. I

As is best illustrated in Figure 1, there is connected to the upper part of the cylinder74 an air line 82. The air line 82 is connected to a suitable compressed air source,

, and when air is supplied to the upper part of the cylinder 74, in view of the fact that the second piston 66 is fixed, the cylinder 74 will move upwardly with respect to the cylinder 56. This will result in like upward movement of the piston rod 62 to result in the upward movement of the first piston 64. This will result in the producing of a vacuum Within the lower part, of the cylinder 56.

Pressure is released from the upper part of the cylinder the top wall 72 of the cylinder 74.

' In the operation of the body tool 18, the head 20 thereof is placed against the surface of a vehicle body to be straightened. A sealed pocket is then formed between the head 20 and the vehicle body by the sealing ring 32. Then, as air is forced into the upper part of the second cylinder 74, a vacuum is produced in the pocket to straighten the dented portion of the body aligned with the pocket. If necessary, heat is' applied to the dented portion of the vehicle body by means of the heating coil 34.

Although only one head 20 has been illustrated, it is who understood thata body tool will include a plurality of such heads of various sizes and outlines. The same used with all such heads.

In order that relatively large heads 20 may be conveniently lifted into place,'tl1ere'is provided a lifting bar which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 86 and is best illustrated in Figure 5. The lifting bar 86 includes an elongated bar 88 having an upwardly projecting hook 99 which may be attached to a chain fall or a like lifting mechanism. The bar 88 is providedwith elongated slots 2 on opposite sides of the hook 90. The slots 92 have slidably positioned therein fittings 94. The fittings 94 are provided with vertical bores 96 extending therethrough.

Carried by each of the heads 2% is a pair of diametrically opposite'bolts 98. The bolts 98 are threadedly engaged in bores 100 in the upper surface of the central portion 22 of each head and are of a size to pass through the bores 96. When it is desired to lift one of the heads 20, the bolts 93am passed outwardly through the bores 96. Then, the fittings 94 and the bolts 98 are aligned principles of the invention. Further, sincenurneroush modifications and changes will readily occur to those,

skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shownand described, and accordingly, all suitablemodificauons and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope o the appended claims. V

What is claimed as new is asfollows: l. A body tool for removing dents from vehicles, sa1d body tool comprising a head, a work piece engaging sealing strip carried by said head at the peripheral edge of said head, said sealing strip projecting from said head 'torform a pocket between said head and a work piece,

and means carried by said head for producing a vacuum in said pocket to draw indented portions of a vehicle body aligned with said pocket.

2. A body tool for removing dents from vehicles, said body tool comprising a head, a work piece engaging sealing strip carried by said head at the peripheral edge of said head, said sealing strip projecting from said head to form a pocket between said head and a work piece, and means carried by said head for producing a vacuum in said pocket to draw indented portions of a vehicle body aligned with said pocket, said vacuum producing means including a cylinder carried by said head in communication with V said pocket, a vacuum producing piston slidably mounted in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston, a a second piston mounted on said piston rod, a second cylinder, said second piston being slidably positioned in said second cylinder, means for connecting a compressed air source to said cylinder to efiect relative movement between said second piston and said second cylinder, said second piston being rigidly secured to said first cylinder and slidable relative to said piston rod, said second cylinder being rigidly connected to said piston rod for movement therewith.

3. A body tool for removing dents from vehicles, said body tool comprising a head, a work piece engagingsealing strip carried by said head at the peripheral edge of said head, said sealing strip projecting from said head to form a pocket between said head and a Work piece, and r means-carried by said head for producing a vacuum in said pocket to draw indented portions of a vehicle body aligned secondpiston and said second cylinder, said second pis ton being rigidly secured to said first cylinder and slidable relative to said piston rod, said second cylinder being rigidly connected to said piston rod for movement therewith, '7

said second cylinder being telescoped over said first'cylinder and being slidable relative to said first cylinder.

4. A body tool for removing dents from vehicles, said body tool comprising a head, a work piece engaging sealing strip carried by said head at the peripheral edge of said head, said sealing strip projecting from said head to form a pocket between said head and a work piece, and means carried by said head for producing a vacuum in said pocket to draw indented portions of a vehicle body' aligned with said pocket, a heating element carried by said head in alignment with said pocket to heat a portion of a vehicle body aligned with said pocket for facilitating straightening thereof.

5. A body tool for removing dents from vehicles, said body tool comprising a head, a work piece engaging sealing strip carried by said. head at the peripheral edge of said head, said sealing strip projecting from said head to form a pocket between said head and a Work piece, and

means carried by said head for producing a vacuum in said pocket to draw indented portions of a vehicle body aligned with said pocket, a heating element carried by said head in alignment with said pocket to heat a portion of 2. vehicle body aligned With said pocket for facilitating straightening thereof, said heating element being secured to a central part of said head, said head having a peripheral rim, said sealing strip being secured to said rim, means heat insulating said rim from said central part.

Martin Aug. 14, 1900 Schirra Aug. 11, 1914 6 Yost June 12, 1934 Billner July 7, 1936 Pavlecka May 16, 1944 Rechton Mar. 27, 1945 Seamans Feb. 5, 1946 Hunter Nov. 29, 1949 Kauppi Dec. 6, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 9, 1914 Australia July 30, 1951 France Dec. 17, 1952 

